Suspended sentence for 56-year-old in cannabis supply case

Court hears evidence of drug supply linked to UK contact, with Deemster warning “there must come a time when it has to stop”

A 56-year-old man has been handed a suspended prison sentence after appearing before the Court of General Gaol Delivery for offences relating to possession and supply of cannabis.

Ivan Muzik had previously entered guilty pleas to possession of cannabis and possession with intent to supply, involving a Class B drug.

The court heard that on 5 March 2025, a “suspicious parcel” identified by postal services was found to contain 570g of herbal cannabis, with a street value of more than £10,000.

Later that month, on 27 March, police executed a warrant at Muzik’s home address, where 5.9g of cannabis, valued at £118, was found, and a mobile phone was seized.

He was arrested at the scene.

A subsequent phone download revealed messages between Muzik and a third party in the UK.

The messages showed he had been coordinating and taking orders to supply cannabis. From those communications, officers confirmed that 336g of cannabis had been supplied, with a street value of £6,760.

During sentencing, Deemster Graeme Cook noted Muzik had previously received a suspended prison sentence for cannabis-related offences on 30 June 2023, which had been suspended for 18 months.

While the current offences fell outside that period, he described the situation as not a “breach”, but an “aggravated breach”.

Prosecutors also highlighted “a number of previous convictions in possession and supply of drugs”.

In mitigation, the defence argued Muzik had not been “directing” the supply, which originated from a third party in the UK, and said his involvement stemmed from paying back a drug debt.

While Deemster Cook accepted he was not the direct beneficiary of the proceeds, he noted Muzik was still implicated and benefited through repayment of that debt.

The court also heard the supply activity did not take place at his family home, but in a nearby back lane.

The defence told the court Muzik had self-referred to Motiv8, a drug and alcohol support charity, and had not come to police attention since his arrest in this case, which was described as “evidence of rehabilitation”.

His advocate said Muzik acknowledged he had made “poor choices in the past”, but had “completely distanced himself from the third party [based in the UK] and is now fully focused on his family”.

The defence argued that an immediate custodial sentence risked undermining that progress, suggesting exposure to other inmates involved in drugs could be detrimental.

A suspended sentence was requested, with the court told Muzik is the primary carer for his partner and looks after their daughter.

The advocate expressed concern there would otherwise be no primary carer, with responsibilities potentially falling to the daughter or the state, adding: “This has been weighing very heavily on Muzik’s mind since he was arrested”.

The court was also told Muzik believed he “should be punished” for his actions, but the defence said his family would also be affected, particularly financially, without his benefits income.

Describing him as “genuinely remorseful”, the defence asked the court to take into account his early guilty plea.

Passing sentence, Deemster Cook told Muzik: “you are 56-years-old and should know better”.

He added: “On 30 June 2023, I told you if you committed another jailable offence, I would send you to prison… While you have not breached your suspended sentence, there must come a time when it has to stop.”

The Deemster said his initial sentence would have been 30 months’ imprisonment, but after considering the mitigating factors put forward, imposed a 12-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months.

Deemster Cook also ordered that the cannabis seized from Muzik’s home and the mobile phone be destroyed.